"I should have thought this through more," I muttered as I entered a room in an inn.
Velris was currently only covering up using the robe the slave trader that I killed was wearing earlier. I managed to get her out of the market, but I had no idea what I should do next. Demons are not a direct enemy of humans in this world, but a lot of people still see them as monsters.
"Where do you live in the demon kingdom?"
"I'm not from the demon kingdom," Velris replied immediately. "I lived in a settlement outside this kingdom."
"The neutral zone," I figured.
Paradis was a huge continent that even has some unexplored areas. With some places called a neutral zone and is under an agreement that no kingdom is allowed to claim for their own. The reason for this was because that area is the territory of highly dangerous monster that no one dares to awaken.
"The settlement was home to different races living in peace, but..."
"Hunters?"
Velris nodded. We remained silent for a few minutes until she decided to speak again. "You killed that man."
"Does it bother you?"
Velris shook her head. "You?" she asked.
"Not at the moment," I replied. "My emotions are kind of unstable at the moment."
"Is it regarding the void inside you?" Velris questioned.
"Void?" I looked at her in confusion.
Velris placed her hand on my chest. "I have the ability to sense the Aether circulating through a person's body," Velris revealed. "Normally, the Aether circulates the body then leaves, but with you, it gets swallowed into a void," she poked my chest.
"I don't know how to feel about that," I responded.
"Don't worry. It doesn't seem to cause you any harm."
I hummed. "Would you like to go back to the settlement?"
Velris shook her head. "The settlement was already destroyed. Going back would only risk me getting captured again on the way there for nothing."
"What will you do then?" It seemed like this was the best time to ask her this since she had already calmed down.
Velris looked deep in thought. "I want to go search for my family, but I want to ask you for help," I raised an eyebrow. "But I won't ask you to do it for free!"
Velris bit her finger to draw a drop of blood.
"I'll be your servant!"
"I beg your pardon?"
------
The first day of class was the day all the students had been waiting for. Finally getting the chance to train and learn in order to become stronger and be the new generation's hero.
"Everything alright Kara?" Asha asked her friend in concern.
Both of them were currently in the standard class's homeroom and waiting for the class to begin. "That prick. During the awakening ceremony, he was as strong as me," she grumbled.
"Didn't he beat you?" Asha teased with a smirk.
"It wasn't fair! He could already use aura back then," Kara complained. "Then during the ceremony, he didn't even awaken mana, but he was still on the same level as me."
"You're a very sour loser," Asha commented.
Kara mumbled some curses.
Ignoring Kara, Asha noticed several students pass by the hallway. She recognized their uniform immediately, the school's current student council. They act as the middlemen between the students and the school officials. Most of them are from the royal class, but the main enforcer was from a commoner background.
Astrid, a shield maiden. A clan of female warriors known for their incredible combat prowess. And Astrid is known as the "Cursed Shield", a Rank 6 level 5 aura user that has never lost a battle. She gained her nickname due to the tradition of her clan. Whoever defeats a shield maiden becomes their partner, and nobody can beat Astrid.
"Hey Asha. Why are you spacing out?" Kara pinched her on the side,
"Ah! Sorry, I got distracted."
------
"Becoming the master of a demon," I rubbed my chin in thought at the tempting offer.
"As long as you help me find my family and make sure they are safe, I'll be your servant," Velris held up her bleeding finger to my face.
Becoming her master would give me a lot of benefits. I knew that because the main antagonist had several demons serving her and that not only gave her powerful followers, but it also empowered. After the contract is established, I'll obtain the ability to convert demonic energy into aura to speed up my growth.
"Deal," I grinned. The only downside is that the holy kingdom might be against me, but that will only be limited to not letting me in the kingdom.
I was not prepared for Velris shoving her finger in my mouth. I was about to say something, however I was stopped by the sight of a mark appearing on her cleavage. The process seemed to have been either painful or pleasurable as Velris squirmed the whole time the mark was manifesting and even dropped the cloak she was using to cover herself with.
"Damn..."
As the whole thing was happening, I was waiting for the system to do its thing.
[Contract established]
"That's it?" I stared at the anti-climactic message.
[You have accomplished an extraordinary achievement]
[You are the first to establish a master contract with a demon]
[Demonic energy no longer affects you]
[You are now able to use demonic skills]
[Bonus reward: Legendary grade ability enhancer]
"There we go," I nodded in approval. "Use it on Grave of swords."
"Who are you talking to master?" Velris asked as she panted.
"Oh, don't mind me," I waved her off.
******
*Danger*
Grave of swords - Mastery level: 5 (8%)
Upon facing an enemy using any swordsmanship, the user will perform twelve sword strikes to either counter or attack their enemy.
Passively grants the user mastery over the sword.
******
I couldn't help but be ecstatic at the massive improvement I saw. Though I heavily regretted it later when I failed to notice the danger sign at the top of the panel.
------
"I apologize master," Velris muttered in embarrassment as we arrived at my dorm room.
"Don't mention it," I patted her on the head.
After we left the inn, I bought her clothes then we headed back to the academy. Some issues came up as I needed to inform the school of any servants accompanying me in the academy and that she will need to stay in my dorm room as the school can't provide her accommodation.
"Wait here for now, I need to submit this to the faculty," In my hand was the form regarding the presence of a servant.
"Understood master," Velris bowed.
"One last thing," I held up my hand. "Curse devourer."
[Divine grip is being consumed]
[Divine grip is a fate level curse]
"I know, I know. Turn it into an ego," I mumbled.